1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
At the time, the ruling drew sharp criticism from rights groups, opposition leaders and even the US embassy under the Biden administration, marking a stark contrast to the current US position.
—
David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The relatively light sentence stands in stark contrast to the potential legal consequences Fivio initially faced.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Board faces a stark choice: enforce its standards and demand reform, or enable a system that treats incarcerated people as disposable.
—Darren MacK, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
The montage edited performances of the same songs side-by-side to highlight a stark contrast in her movements and racked up more than 2.8 million views before label YG Entertainment blocked it on copyright grounds, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
David Culver, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
The relatively light sentence stands in stark contrast to the potential legal consequences Fivio initially faced.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Aug. 2025
The Board faces a stark choice: enforce its standards and demand reform, or enable a system that treats incarcerated people as disposable.
—Darren MacK, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
The montage edited performances of the same songs side-by-side to highlight a stark contrast in her movements and racked up more than 2.8 million views before label YG Entertainment blocked it on copyright grounds, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
With all due respect to the pressures of making an unconventional sci-fi film on a tight budget, using ecologically destructive technology for a story of ecological devastation, in which clean water is an increasingly rare resource, adds an unintentionally grim layer of irony to the tale.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Marathon’s rollout has been somewhat grim, with initial flashy trailers years earlier giving way to underperforming gameplay previews and a very unfinished, public Alpha that created intensely negative vibes around the project.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The look was finished with a silk tulle veil, crystal beaded Manolo Blahnik satin sandals and a pair of sheer elbow gloves.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Founder Samantha Brett emphasizes layering SPF over makeup, with formulas like their Beauty Screen Mineral Tints providing SPF50 protection in a sheer, wearable finish.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
In Namibia, Shipwreck Lodge in the desolate Skeleton Coast National Park and the secluded Hoanib Valley Camp are oases of luxury in otherworldly settings.—
Erina Pinar,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The Emperor Titus attempted but failed to revive Pompeii and its sibling town Herculaneum soon after the catastrophe, leaving the desolate region largely abandoned until its rediscovery in 1748.—
Andrew Paul Aug 7,
Popular Science,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Faced with this existential crisis, Bull gathers his best pals—Rocco, a gruff boxer (Idris Elba); Lucky, a dopey but loyal beagle (Bobby Moynihan); and Fetch, a wannabe influencer dachshund (Fred Armisen)—for one final night of canine mischief.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The strength and conditioning coach barked out stretches in a gruff voice, starting off the first practice of fall football camp on a note of discipline.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The recycled leather lanyard adds to its convenience and simple, timeless style.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Aug. 2025
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In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the state’s congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.—
Elena Shao,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The day after the crash, the FWC investigators found a stash of empty booze bottles and cans on the boat.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
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Though cynics might be quick to dismiss the president’s words as empty political rhetoric, some industry leaders are applauding President Trump’s openness in publicly addressing rescheduling.—
Iris Dorbian,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
What might more readily bring about a crisis of identity than the physical alteration of the body, the change from bearer of life to barren woman?—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Most of those barren years came before a current regime that has taken English cricket to new highs of attacking intent.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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